Graded on attendance, participation, midterm (in-class), final, and 8-10 page paper. While he is very helpful during office hours, he does not post slides and even bullet points from slides were not integral to the tests. Overall, he expects the students to be able to digest and synthesize his lectures, which could be considered fast-paced. Even though this is a common teaching style, I found this to be really inaccessible and his tests while not trick questions, were not easy either. Honestly, I found his approach towards US religion history lacking in critical political context (I remember that he made a big deal out of the supposed incompatibility between the US govt. banning indigenous religious practices and the "founding ideals" of the freedom of religion and free speech--as if this blew his mind, even though a critical examination of this history will tell you that the same govt. banning indigenous religion and massacring indigenous people would not care about any supposed "ideals" it held). Also, he had a tendency to normalize Israel.

This is the 2nd course I have taken with professor Joseph, and he is an absolute gem. He is for sure an old-school professor who values attendance and respect in the classroom. He has a dry and witty sense of humor and he is so knowledgeable and passionate about the subject he teaches. Even if religious studies aren't your thing personally, I guarantee you that his class will be thought-provoking. The class breakdown is as follows--one midterm which is short terms/concepts based on class lectures, a 10-page research paper, and a final exam. I'm not going to downplay the exams, they're not difficult they're just dense concepts to memorize. The 10 page paper was a drag for sure, but I suggest just to start early (he does not grade these harshly just put in effort, offer a meaningful analysis and you're fine). The final exam tested students on about 40 concepts, again not hard just dense information and memorization overload. Be sure to write class notes thoroughly, he does not post class lectures to canvas, and he is super against phone usage in class (he perceives it as a sign of disrespect and I've seen him snap at students for it). He is such a cool professor and I've taken 3 classes with him and have gotten an A in each one. Put the work in, don't crame for the tests, and you'll be golden,

Professor Joseph is fantastic. He answers more questions in class than anyone I have ever met. The readings for this class were long but nothing out of the ordinary for an upper-division history course. Prof. Joseph can be a little socially awkward and is very sensitive to phone use during class but is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. I recommend any class he teaches!

Honestly if you arent that interested in this topic I wouldn't take it. Can be very confusing without some prior knowledge of the Bible. It is a history class after all though, so you cant think about the class biblically. The lectures can be interesting but also quite annoying since it felt like 80% of the class was him answering students' questions that were not relevant to the midterm/ final. I would suggest doing a class study guide with everyone that's what helped me pass. ATTEND EVERY CLASS get any points you can just in case you don't do well on an exam it helps.

Honestly, coming as a freshman, I was just looking for a 4th class to take. I saw that this fulfilled a requirement and I was interested in religion. However, I joined like 2 weeks late, and I was really behind on the material. Because of this, I did kind of poor on the midterm. However, the way he teaches really prepares you for the exam and I'm pretty sure they grade really leniently on the final. Although others say to start early on the 10-page paper, I did start kind of late (like writing 5 pages til 5am the night before it's due) and I'm pretty sure he graded nicely on that as well. Just show that you're engaged with the communities you're visiting and try to implement what he teaches in class. The tests were somewhat straightforward (sometimes a question or two wasn't covered on the study guide) but he's a great professor and wants you to do well.

I have absolutely no religious background, but really enjoyed Professor Joseph's lectures. Huge paper due at the end of the course. Discussions online. A lot of IDs to memorize. Midterm and final are tough, but I think he's a fair grader.

This class was very enjoyable as the content was very interesting and understandable. Dr. Joseph is a great lecturer and really knows his stuff - he is very informative and is a very nice person. He is very helpful and always willing to answer questions. He doesn't require a textbook, which is nice, and he provides the readings for each class. There's only the midterm, the final, and the final paper that make up your grade, so it's important to do well on all these items. Overall I'd definitely take any class with this professor again!

This class was easy. The information and slides were very straightforward. The professor doesn't allow you to take pictures of the slides and will call you out if you take some, he doesn't record audio or video, doesn't post the slides or weekly schedule, and doesn't send you the slides if you are absent. There are weekly readings but he basically told one of the students that we don't have to read them and he didn't ask about them during class once. He also takes attendance in every class by passing around a sheet of paper and having everyone write their names on it. The midterm was very easy. Final was pretty hard for me, but it's because I didn't study. The final 10-page paper made me suicidal. You have to visit a religious site and compare it with another one in an observational study/report. I waited until the last day to do it so if you start at least a week earlier you'll be fine. He offered two extra credit opportunities on the paper, visiting a second religious site and formally interviewing someone from the site. I ended with an A+ because it was so easy and the information he gave was minimal and exactly what he asked on exams (except for some questions on the final). Take this class if you're going to show up or if you have another friend who goes to the class who will send you notes and write your name on the attendance sheet. Otherwise, if you aren't going to show up, don't take this class.